Seeing her work in "Amelie" hardly prepares the audience for the depths and complexities one can see in "Coco". The film works because Antonie understands her material and because the lead performer couldn't be better. Audrey Tautou is regal, intense, gorgeous, and very determined in her portrayal of the fashion icon. Her turn brings to life the soul of a woman who was able to see beyond her times, who knew it was time to institute change to break out of what society expected of women, and most importantly, she did it in style.
The work of Antoine and Tautou, seen as the leaders of a team, showing the portrayal of how a young woman grows in her perception and understanding of what it is like being a female in the early 20th century. She knows the boundaries placed by society on her sex and, like most of us, fears exposing herself at first, but Coco is fearless, and she learns to conquer, earning respect and power along the way.
The film is very successful because it doesn't concentrate only on the politics of the time, but it spends a considerable amount of time, showing us the personal side of the icon and her relationships. It is a joy to see her in love, and it's inspiring to see how she manages to rise at critical moments of her life. There is fire in this performance, plenty of spirit and an elegance rarely seen in the movies anymore, and this poise is not only the result of the gorgeous set direction and costumes, but of the forces that live inside Coco's soul.
The last 15 minutes of the movie are practically unforgettable as Coco experiences a multitude of emotions, from intense and unbridled romantic love to a relentless intensity that now accompanies her desire to become the best. Seeing her sitting on the stairs as the movie ends, and watching her expressions change is the stuff most performers hope they can achieve once in a lifetime. Cotillard brought to life another icon and walked away with just about every accolade for her masterful work. Taotou continues to show the marvelous essence of French performers putting together a performance that can inspire us to believe there is still plenty of magic left in the movie world.
The work of Antoine and Tautou, seen as the leaders of a team, showing the portrayal of how a young woman grows in her perception and understanding of what it is like being a female in the early 20th century. She knows the boundaries placed by society on her sex and, like most of us, fears exposing herself at first, but Coco is fearless, and she learns to conquer, earning respect and power along the way.
The film is very successful because it doesn't concentrate only on the politics of the time, but it spends a considerable amount of time, showing us the personal side of the icon and her relationships. It is a joy to see her in love, and it's inspiring to see how she manages to rise at critical moments of her life. There is fire in this performance, plenty of spirit and an elegance rarely seen in the movies anymore, and this poise is not only the result of the gorgeous set direction and costumes, but of the forces that live inside Coco's soul.
The last 15 minutes of the movie are practically unforgettable as Coco experiences a multitude of emotions, from intense and unbridled romantic love to a relentless intensity that now accompanies her desire to become the best. Seeing her sitting on the stairs as the movie ends, and watching her expressions change is the stuff most performers hope they can achieve once in a lifetime. Cotillard brought to life another icon and walked away with just about every accolade for her masterful work. Taotou continues to show the marvelous essence of French performers putting together a performance that can inspire us to believe there is still plenty of magic left in the movie world.